Moments after White Rock council approved a new law that allows construction of triplexes, members gave a go-ahead to the first such project in the seaside community.
The triplex at 1120 Johnston Rd. was granted preliminary approval last week following a unanimous vote granting final approval to the new bylaw.
Once a number of procedural hurdles are completed, final approval to the city’s first triplex is expected in time for spring construction.
The newly-approved guidelines require triplex housing to provide at least two parking spots per suite, restricts their size and limits where they can be built.
The overall size of a triplex can’t be bigger than duplexes already permitted under city bylaws, and the triplexes must be built in areas where multiple-family dwellings already exist.
It’s hoped the new category of housing will encourage construction of affordable housing in White Rock.
The vote approving the concept came 10 months after an application to get a one-off zoning amendment to build a triplex at 14968 Beachview Ave. was scuttled by a split council vote.
A Jan. 4 meeting held at city hall to discuss details of the proposed city-wide policy drew a small turnout – with just two members of the public attending – and nobody addressed the issue at a Feb. 6 hearing.
- with files from Tracy Holmes